Childhood Studies (with SEN) Foundation Degree

Program Overview

The Childhood Studies (with SEN) Foundation Degree is a practice-based program that equips students with the knowledge and skills to support the development of children and young people, particularly those with special educational needs. Through a combination of academic study and practical experience, students gain a deep understanding of child development and learn to integrate theory with practice. The program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in education and child development, including roles as early childhood educators, special educational needs coordinators, and youth workers.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: This innovative, practice-based course allows you to gain a qualification while working in the field of childhood education.
It is ideal for individuals working in paid or voluntary settings with children and young people, such as schools, nurseries, youth groups, library services, or childcare.
• Description: This program combines academic study with practical experience in educational settings, enabling students to immediately apply their learning to real-world situations.
Through inquiry, debate, reflection, and integration of current literature, students gain a deeper understanding of child development and learn to integrate theory with practice.

Outline:

• Content: The program focuses on exploring child development from various perspectives, including psychology, sociology, policy, and the history of education.
It examines the relationship between theories of child development and practical application in the workplace.
• Structure: This program is offered in a flexible format.
Students can choose between full-time or twilight (after 5pm) study options.
• Course Schedule: Classes typically take place one day per week for daytime groups or five evenings per week for twilight groups.
There are also three mandatory Saturdays throughout the year dedicated to academic direction, independent study, and professional development.
• Modules:
• Year 1:
• Planning for Personal and Professional Development (20 credits)
• Growth and Development (20 credits)
• Language Development and its Place in Learning (20 credits)
• Sensory and Physical Needs (SEN pathway) (20 credits)
• Year 2 and 3:
• Students will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of optional modules based on their interests and career aspirations.
Specific modules offered may vary from year to year.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods: Students are assessed through a combination of assignments, presentations, poster presentations, e-portfolios, resource design, and case studies.
Emphasis is placed on demonstrating practical application of knowledge and critical thinking skills.
• Work-based tasks: These tasks are integrated into the assignments and provide evidence of the student's learning and development in the workplace.
They are essential for demonstrating the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods: The program utilizes a variety of innovative teaching methods, including face-to-face sessions, online learning activities, asynchronous activities, tutorials, group activities, and work-based tasks.
This diverse approach allows students to learn at their own pace and engage with the material in different ways.
• Faculty: The program is taught by experienced academics and childhood practitioners who are passionate about supporting students' learning.
• Unique approach: The program's innovative design integrates significant setting-based learning hours into each module, ensuring that students are able to immediately apply their learning in real-world situations.
This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between theory and practice.

Careers:

• Career paths: Graduates of this program have a wide range of career options available to them in the field of education and child development.
Potential career paths include:
• Early childhood educator
• Special educational needs coordinator
• Teaching assistant
• Youth worker
• Social worker
• Speech and language therapist
• Family support worker
• Outcomes: Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people, particularly those with special educational needs.

Other:

• Entry requirements: Applicants require a Level 3 qualification, such as an A-Level or equivalent.
Relevant work experience may also be considered.
• Application process: Interested individuals can apply via the UCAS system.

The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are: UK: £8,045 Overseas: N/A Home (UK) Fees The fees above are for the 2024/25 academic year but may be subject to change following any announcements by the UK Government (approved by Parliament) regarding maximum Undergraduate tuition fee caps for 2024/25. In addition, the University reserves the right to increase all full-time and part-time Undergraduate tuition fees mid-course, in line with any further inflationary increase in the Government tuition fee cap which is approved by Parliament.